The E46 feels like it peaks around 7600 RPM, like the graph shows (flat anyways) and the E92 feels like it wants every last RPM until redline.

Not sure about about you, but that is a huge difference in feel.

I agree- BEFORE YOU FLAME ME READ THIS!!!- The E46 feels more 'urgent' at low RPM, but once you get on it, there is no comparison to the E92 which wants to 'seemingly' rev to the stratosphere -again look at the Dyno which confirms my seat of the pants feel. Keep the E92 on the upper rev range and it is just not a comparison.

That chart can't be correct from 0-3K RPM - the torque on the S65 kicks in earlier I thought.

I had an E46 without cats, it breaths a lot better, but more importantly sounds like a pissed off chainsaw - which makes the whole experience seem more manic/raw/frantic. Definitely very different than the E9X - which feels laid back....but it's really not.

Some of the "feeling" of faster can have to do with the final drive ratio as well, and the whole setup of the car, not just the engine. I'm no expert on the e46 since I didn't own one. The feeling of fast can be very misleading. The e9x M is so smooth in it's acceleration that I'm often surprised when I look at the speedometer that it's climbing as quick as it is, compared to just sitting back looking out of the windshield.

Hmm..... now I'd like to see something approximating the inverse i.e. an s54 w/ headers, pulley, tune vs a stock s65.

I know the e92 is faster, quite fast actually, but I have to agree that the e46 "feels" faster. It may be related to the morphology of the torque curve between 4-6k as it unusual for the curve to be convex downward.

Waiting for the first post about different dynos, on different days, under different conditions, different operators, variations between different examples of the same motor...

For me, neither car is really fast. Fast is ZR-1, GT-R, or 997.2TT. When I drive for leisure, I would take the one that is more involving or fun regardless of how objectively fast it is. Since these are both street cars that are both easily capable of exceeding every speed limit law in the country, "feels" fast is usually enough.

I think the E46 may feel faster because everything about it is more raw. That very "raw" edge makes everything seem more urgent and this, in turn, translates into the perception of speed.

I had a Chrysler Sebring that felt faster than my old 328i but it wasn't by a long shot. The Sebring was rougher, louder, more raw and this, to me, made it "feel" faster. The 328i just pulled more smoothly with less drama and felt less urgent and quick. But when you looked at the speedo, it was gaining speed much quicker.

I think the E46 may feel faster because everything about it is more raw. That very "raw" edge makes everything seem more urgent and this, in turn, translates into the perception of speed.

I had a Chrysler Sebring that felt faster than my old 328i but it wasn't by a long shot. The Sebring was rougher, louder, more raw and this, to me, made it "feel" faster. The 328i just pulled more smoothly with less drama and felt less urgent and quick. But when you looked at the speedo, it was gaining speed much quicker.

To some degree yes, but the E46 also has much different throttle tuning which makes it feel eager to get off the line or to get going whereas the E9x has a more lackadaisical tip-in even in Power mode. The E46 is a more lively and involving car which is why I keep both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

I'm pretty sure 2nd is a little longer, and 3rd is a lot longer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

The gears are much shorter on the e46 m3 compared to a E9X m3

Again, I own both and there is no significant difference in gearing between the 6MT E46 and 6MT E9x. In fact, the gears are marginally longer on the E46 due to the ~5% lower redline (400 rpm).

The E46 feels like it peaks around 7600 RPM, like the graph shows (flat anyways) and the E92 feels like it wants every last RPM until redline.

Not sure about about you, but that is a huge difference in feel.

I agree- BEFORE YOU FLAME ME READ THIS!!!- The E46 feels more 'urgent' at low RPM, but once you get on it, there is no comparison to the E92 which wants to 'seemingly' rev to the stratosphere -again look at the Dyno which confirms my seat of the pants feel. Keep the E92 on the upper rev range and it is just not a comparison.

LOL. We all know the E9X is faster. Thats not debatable. But you cant say "No, MrHarris, the E46 does NOT feel faster to you"